PHFI bags second place in global ranking of public health institutions
Hyderabad: In a significant milestone for India's healthcare landscape, the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) has secured the prestigious second position among 26 global public health institutions in the inaugural rankings. Notably, PHFI stands as the lone Indian representative among this esteemed cohort of global public health institutions.
This remarkable achievement has seen PHFI surpassing renowned institutions like Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, which stands in the third spot now.
According to The Hindu, the rankings, unveiled in the International Journal of Public Health, result from a pioneering pilot project, conducted by an independent consortium of researchers, including Margaret Chan, former director-general of the World Health Organisation (WHO). Unlike conventional rankings that merely quantify research output, this initiative emphasizes the quality and impact of the institutions' research endeavours.
Organizations like the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, PHFI, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Swiss School of Public Health, and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health are leading the way internationally in this regard.
PHFI's ascension to the second position underscores its unwavering commitment to advancing public health initiatives in India and beyond. Founded as a collaborative endeavour between public and private entities, PHFI has evolved through extensive consultations with diverse stakeholders, including academia, government bodies, and civil society organizations, both domestically and internationally. Focusing on a broad spectrum of public health services encompassing promotive, preventive, and therapeutic measures, PHFI addresses critical gaps in policy planning and public perception.
One of PHFI's flagship initiatives includes the establishment of five Indian Institutes of Public Health (IIPHs) strategically located across India. These institutes serve as hubs for cutting-edge research and education, driving innovation and excellence in public health practices nationwide, reports The Daily.
President of the PHFI K Srinath Reddy, “In today’s globalized world, international collaborations are essential for producing research that holds global relevance. The team utilized a total of 11 indicators distributed across four categories: productivity, quality, accessibility for readers, and international collaborations. These indicators were selected because they are pertinent to the discipline of Public Health."
PHFI's meteoric rise in the global rankings underscores India's growing prowess in the field of public health. It reinforces its status as a key player in shaping the future of healthcare on the global stage. As PHFI continues its trajectory of excellence, it remains steadfast in its mission to catalyze positive change and foster healthier, more resilient communities worldwide. Mr Srinath said the ranking made PHFI assert its position as the public and policymaker. “This acknowledgement validates our mission and performance, lending credibility not only internationally but also nationally, where both Central and state governments will recognize our value in the field of public health. Additionally, prospective students applying to our courses can now have confidence in studying at a globally ranked institution,” he added.
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